Toe board assembly for scaffold platforms

ABSTRACT

A toe board assembly for surrounding and extending upwardly from the perimeter of a flat scaffold platform, the toe board assembly having side and end girder members hinged together to fold into a small compact package and to unfold into an open rectangular frame, the toe board assembly having platform-engaging surfaces to prevent longitudinal, transverse or vertical movement of the toe board assembly relative to the scaffold and platform when assembled thereto, the toe board being easily attachable and detachable without the use of tools.

United States Patent [191 Fisher Jan. 1,1974

I TOE BOARD ASSEMBLY FOR SCAF FOLD PLATFORMS 52 u.s.c1 182/230, 182/129,182/222 51 1111.01. ..E04g 5/00 58 Field of Search 182/222, 223, 178,

69,359 6/l958 France 182/1 l3 Primary ExaminerReinaldo P. MachadoAttrneyCarlisle M. Moore 7] ABSTRACT A toe board assembly forsurrounding and extending upwardly from the perimeter of a flat scaffoldplatform, the toe board assembly having side and end girder membershinged together to fold into a small compact package and to unfold intoanopen rectan- [56] References Cited gular frame, the toe board assemblyhaving platform- UNITED STATES PATENTS engaging surfaces to preventlongitudinal, transverse 1,943,871 1/1934 Landberg 182/ 179 or verticalmovement of the toe board assembly rela- 2,582.385 1/1952 Knudsen182/113 tive to the scaffold and platform when assembled 3.1 .212 4/1965g.... 182/178 thereto, the toe board being easily attachable and de-3,613,832 10/1971 Dunster [82/179 tachable without the use f toolsFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,181,390 11/1964 Germany 182/113 15Claims, Drawing Figures J J f y 1 39 38 25 Y E: 29 42 28b 1 g3 36 42 I/'280 32 39 3a 33 PATENTEB JAN 1 4 SHEET 1 [IF 3 FlG 5 FlG 6 FIG..? 3.

TOE BOARD ASSEMBLY FOR SCAFFOLD PLATFORMS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to temporary scaffolding, i.e., scaffolding whichis erected at a work site and dismantled when the job is done, of thetype wherein opposed end frames made up of vertical column members andhorizontal tubing members are set up and one or more vertically spacedplatforms are secured to the end frames, extending horizontally betweenthe end frames.

In general, there are two types of such temporary scaffolding that arein common usage. One type is the folding stairway scaffold, asexemplified in the Johnson et al. US. Pat. No. 2,438,173 or Fisher Pat.No. 3,221,837, wherein the end frames, stairway and platform supportmembers are permanently connected to each other and arranged so that ascaffold unit can be folded into a compact package and unfolded forscaffold use. Such scaffold units can be easily stacked, one on top ofanother, so that a scaffold tower can be built up to a desired height.In this type of scaffold the platforms are typically flat pieces ofplywood, completely detachable, and with a locating hole near each comerthereof. When in use, such platforms rest on two parallel tubing memberswhich extend between and are permanently connected to the end frames,the platform being located on and held against shifting relative to thetubing members by upwardly projecting pins on the tubing members whichfit into the platform holes.

The other general type of temporary scaffolding is that exemplified inJohnson et al. US. Pat. No. 3,454,131, wherein separate end frames arebuilt up to the desired height, the opposed end frames being connectedtogether by diagonal bracing members. In this type of scaffolding, theremovable platform or platforms are assembled to the scaffold to rest onand extend between horizontal tubing members of the opposed end frames.In packaged units, the platform members usually comprise a standard sizesheet of plywood permanently secured to two or more parallel tubingmembers which underlie and extend lengthwise of the platform, the tubingmembers being provided with downfacing hooks at both ends thereof forattachment to the desired horizontal tubing members of the opposed endframes.

It has long been a scaffolding practice to provide a scaffold platformwith an upstanding toe board at the edge of a platform to prevent toolsor other items from sliding off the platform and falling on peoplebelow. The term toe boar comes from early scaffold practice whereinnarrow boards were set on edge along the edge of a platform andtoe-nailed into place. Although the safety benefits of such toe boardshave long been recognized, the use of toe boards was often regarded asan expensive and, hence, unnecessary optional practice. To increasetheir use, the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, effectiveAugust, 1971, now requires that a 4-inch-high toe board be provided onall four sides of all working platforms over 6 feet in height.Non-working platforms, e.g., access platforms, are not included in therequirement.

Although the old type of toe boards, wherein separate pieces areseparately nailed or bolted to the platform, would meet present Federalrequirements, such type is not well suited for modern-temporaryscaffolding wherein the emphasis is on portability, and on erection anddisassembly without the need for tools.

Instead, what is desired is a toe board assembly having no loose partswhich might be easily misplaced or lost; capable of being folded up intoa small compact package for handling and transport; and, which can beeasily unfolded after it has been carried to the platform and attachedto the platform without any tools being used.

In addition, scaffold platforms, however constructed, are subject tosubstantial loads of personnel and material when in use. As the platformsags under this weight, there will be a gap, an arcuate space, betweenthe upper surface of the platform and the lower edge of the longitudinaltoe boards. This gap, by the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act,shouldnot exceed onehalf, inch. As a consequence, it is desirable thatthe toe board be attachable to the scaffold platform so that the toeboard supports the platform against sag by virtue of the beam strengthand stiffness of the toe boards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The main objects of the present invention areachieved by the use of four girder members each having a verticalsurface which extends upwardly above the platform and one or moretransversely extending flanges, so that the girder members are stiffenedagainst vertical or horizontal flexure, the girder members being hingedtogether at their ends and the end girder member being hinged at theirmidpoint so that the members may be folded into a compact package andmay be unfolded into a rectangular frame for assembly with the platform.

When the toe board assembly is installed in place, the end members ofthe toe board assembly fit over the ends of the platform so thatlengthwise shifting of the toe board relative to the platform isprevented. Means are provided on the toe board assembly for securing thetoe board assembly against transverse movement relative to the platform.

The toe board assembly is readily installed and removed from scaffoldplatforms already in place. As a consequence it can be installed on anyplatform level where work is being carried out, and can be removed andreinstalled at another level for further work operations, thereby savingsubstantially in the cost and expense that would be incurred if allplatforms in a multiple platform scaffold were to be equipped with toeboards.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the course of thefollowing detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings forming a part of thisapplication and in which like parts are designated by like referencenumerals throughout the same,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a typical prior artscaffold having vertical and horizontal tubing members showing themanner in which a typical sheet material platform member is mounted inthe scaffold;

FIG. 2 is a sectional detail of a typical prior art stairway-typescaffold wherein horizontal platform support tubing members arepermanently connected to the horizontal end frame members and whereinthe platform is removably secured to the platform support tubingmembers;

FIG. 3 is a sectional detail of a typical prior art spantype scaffoldwherein the platform is permanently attached to platform tubing membersand the latter are detachably secured to the horizontal end framemembers;

FIGS. 4-8 illustrate a toe board assembly having particular use withplatforms in a stairway-type scaffold, FIG. 4 being a plan view of theunfolded assembly before it is attached to the scaffold;

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the toe board assembly, takenon line 55 of FIG. 4, and showing the assembly in place on the scaffoldplatform;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the toe board assembly of FIG. 4, and showingthe assembly in place on the scaffold;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the end of the toe board assembly, takenon line 77 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a detail view, in plan and with portions broken away, of apart of one of the end members;

FIGS. 9-16 illustrate a toe board assembly having particular usewithplatforms in span-type scaffolds, FIG. 9 being a plan view of the toeboard assembly, in unfolded position and before attachment to thescaffold platform;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view through one of the end members, taken online 10-10 of FIG. 9, showing the assembly attached to a scaffoldplatform;

FIG. 11 is a sectional detail through one of the side members, taken online 11-11 of FIG. 9 but after initial attachment to the platform andshowing the side member pivoted outwardly;

FIG. 12 is an end view of the assembly, as seen from 12-12 of FIG. 9after attachment to the platform;

FIG. 13 is a detail elevational view of the platform lock on the sidemembers, as seen from 13-13 of FIG.

FIGS. 14-16 are sectional views, taken on line 14l4 of FIG. 13,illustrating the operation of the platform lock;

FIGS. 17-20 illustrate another form of toe board assembly havingparticular use in span-type scaffolds, wherein the toe board itselfserves as the structural support for the platrform, FIG. 17 being a planview of the toe board assembly in unfolded position;

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of a portion of the toe boardassembly of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view through one of the end members, taken online 19-19 of FIG. 17;

FIG. is a transverse sectional view through the toe board assembly,taken on line 20-20 of FIG. 17.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As mentioned above, the presentinvention has utility with stairway-type scaffolds as shown in Johnsonet al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,438,173 or Fisher U.S. Pat. No. 3,221,837, orspan-type scaffolds as shown in Johnson et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,454,131.The disclosures of these patents are included herein for reference.

As far as the present invention is concerned, the stairwayand span-typescaffolds are similar in that, as shown in FIG. 1 herein, each type hasopposed end frames 1 1 and 12, which may be erected to the desiredheight, each end frame having vertical column members 13 and horizontaltubing members 14 which are permanently secured to and extend betweenthe column members 13. Generally, for each horizontal tubing member 14on one end frame there will be a corresponding horizontal tubing member14 on the opposed end frame at the same height above the ground. Two ormore parallel tubing members 15 are secured to and extend betweencorresponding horizontal tubing members 14, the tubing members 15serving as a support for the platform 16 which is typically a plywoodsheet.

In a stairway-type scaffold, the platfonn support members 15 arepermanently secured to the end frame members 14, by trunions 17 (FIG.2). After erection of a stairway section the completely detachableplatform 16 is laid down on the platform support member, with thelocating pins 18 on the platform support members extending into thecorner holes 19 of the platform.

In a span-type scaffold, the platform 16 is generally permanentlyfastened to two or more parallel platform support members 15, as bybolts 21 (FIG. 3). The support members 15b are provided with downfacinghooks 22 at their ends to engage the horizontal members 14 of the endframes. If desired, conventional hooks having spring-pressed lockingpins 23 may be used to releasably lock the platform to the end frames.In a spantype scaffold, the end frames are erected to a desiredheight'and one or more platform assemblies are then secured to the endframes at whatever heights are desired.

FIGS. 4-8 illustrate one form of a toe board assembly, referred togenerally by the reference numeral 25, adapted to particular use withplatforms of a stairwaytype scaffold, i.e., wherein the platform 16rests on and is removable from the platform support members 15. Toeboard assembly 25 comprises two side members 26 and 27 and two endmembers 28 and 29, the ends of these members being connected together byhinges 31, 32, 33 and 34. End member 28 comprises two end-toend sections28a and 28b which are connected together by the outside hinge 36 so thatthe end sections 28a and 28b may be folded together. End member 29 issimilarly constructed and hinged. The four corner hinges and the two endhinges enable the side and end members to fold, in a direction shown bythe arrows on FIG. 4, into a flat package, or to unfold to the FIG. 4position. When folded flat, i.e., with the end sections folded parallelto each other and parallel to the side members, the total width of thepackage will be approximately equal to the combined width of the twoside member flanges 39 plus the combined width of the flanges 39 on endmembers 26 or 27.

Each side member comprises a longitudinally extending girder, preferablymade of an aluminum alloy for lightness in weight, stifiness andstrength, having an upright web 37 with a vertical surface 38 facinginwardly, and outwardly extending horizontal flanges 39 and 40 at theupper and lower ends thereof. The vertical surfaces 38 have a height ofat least 4 inches. Each end member 28 and 29 comprises a transverselyextending girder having an upright web 41 with a vertical surface 42facing inwardly and an outwardly extending horizontal flange 43 at theupper end thereof. As shown in FIG. 8, the vertical hinge pin 43 ofhinge 36 is spaced outwardly from the webs 41 of the end sections 280and 28b at least as far as the width of the flange 43.

In use, after the scaffold has been erected and the platform 16 has beenput in place on the platform tubing members 15, the folded toe boardassembly is brought up to the platform. The workman then unfolds it sothat it forms a rectangular frame (FIG. 4). The

side members 26 and 27 are designed so as to be slightly longer than thelength of the platform 16, so that the opposed vertical surfaces 42 ofthe end members are spaced apart slightly more than the length of theplatform. The toe board assembly is then shifted on the platform so thatthe end members fit over the ends of the platform. When in place, thelower edge 42a of the end member vertical surfaces 42 abut the end edgesof the platform so that the platform is confined therebetween and nolongitudinal shifting of the toe board assembly relative to the platformcan occur. As further shown in FIG. 5, the end members 28 and 29 extenddownwardly sufficiently far so that the extreme lower portion 41a of theweb 41 is received between the platform support members, the web havinga length just slightly less than the distance between the tubing membersso that it can fit therebetween. Transverse movement of the toe boardassembly on the platform is then prevented by the sidewise engagement ofthe lower web portion 41a with the tubing members 15.

As mentioned above, platform 16 is separate from and rests on platformsupport members 15. Oftentimes a sudden upward gust of wind can dislodgethe platform from the locking pins 18 unless some additional clamp orwind clip is used to tie the platform down to the scaffold. In thepresent toe board assembly 25, this tiedown function is achieved easilyby the hooks 45 which are pivotally mounted by pins 46 on end member 28,as shown in FIG. 6 and in the same manner on the opposite end member 29.Spring washers 47 on the pins 46 and between the hooks and end membersare preferably used to maintain the hooks in the upper position, shownon the left in FIG. 6, the hooks then all being swung down to engage theunder surface of the platform support members 15 after the toe boardassembly is installed, as shown on the right in FIG. 6. Thus after thetoe board assembly is installed, the lower flanges 40 of the sidemembers rest on the upper surface of platform 16, extending the lengththereof, and hold the platform down, while the hooks 46 prevent upwardmovement of the toe board assembly relative to the platform supportmembers 15.

As is thus apparent, the toe board assembly is a fully complete unit,easily installed without the use of tools. Once installed, it is heldagainst sidewise, lengthwise or vertical movement. The girderconstruction of the side and end members resist tilting or buckling asmight occur by the user standing on these members or pushing or kickingthem with his feet.

FIGS. 9-16 illustrate another toe board assembly 50 which has particularutility with scaffolds of the span type, i.e., wherein the platform 16is permanently bolted -to the parallel platform support members 15thereunder, as in FIG. 3.

As before, toe board assembly 50 comprises two side members 51 and 52and two end members 53 and 54, hinged together at their ends by hinges56, 57, 58 and 59. End member 53 again comprises two end-to-end sections53a and 53b connected together by hinge 61. End member 54 is similarlyconstructed and hinged at the middle, so that the entire assembly canfold into a compact package or unfold into an open rectangular frame.

Each side member 51 and 52 comprises a longitudinally extending girderhaving an upright web 62 with an inwardly facing vertical surface 63 ofa height equal to the thickness of the platform 16 plus at least theheight required for a toe board. The girder is formed with an outwardlyprojecting horizontal flange 64 at the upper end thereof and an inwardlyprojecting horizontal flange 65 at the lower end thereof.

Each end member comprises a transversely extending girder having avertical web 66 with an inwardly facing vertical surface 67 of a heightapproximately equal to the height of the side member vertical surfaces63, but sufficiently less so that the members may fold upon each other.The end member girders are formed with an outwardly projectinghorizontal flange 68 at the upper end thereof, the hinge pin 69 of hinge61 being spaced outwardly from the end member webs a distance at leastas great as the width of the flanges 68.

Side member 52, in addition to being connected to end members 53 and 54for hinged movement about vertical axes relative thereto, is alsoconnected to these end members for pivotal movement relative theretoabout a horizontal axis. As best seen in FIG. 11, hinge 58 comprises twohinge leaves 71 and 72 and normally vertical hinge pin 73. Hinge leaf 71is immovably connected to side member web 62 by rivets 74. I-Iinge leaf72 is permanently secured at its upper end to the web 66 of end membersection 53a by pivot pin 76, hinge leaf 72 having a stub 77 securedthereto which projects outwardly through arcuate slot 78 in end memberweb 66, the stub having an enlarged head 79 on the other, or out, sideof web 66. Hinge 57, at the other end of side member 52, similarlysecured to the webs of side member 52 and end member 54. By thisarrangement, the lower end of the side member 52 may be pivoted aboutthe axis of pin 76 so that the innermost edge 65a of lower flange 65 isoutward of the lower ends of the end members 53 and 54, i.e., to theposition shown in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 12, end member section 53ahas a latch member 811 pivotally mounted on the outside surface of web66 thereof by pivot pin 82, the latch member having a hook 83 adapted toengage stub 77 and hold it against movement in slot 78 when the sidemember has been pivoted to a vertical position.

In the use of the toe board assembly 50, as thus far described, thefolded assembly is carried to an erected platform of the scaffold and isunfolded to a rectangular frame, i.e., as in FIG. 9. The assembly ismoved transversely on the platform so that the flange 65 on side member51 passes beyond and drops below the side edge of the platform, the toeboard assemlby being then pulled back so that the flange 65 on sidemember 51 underlies the length of the platform. At the same time, thetoe board assembly is maneuvered lengthwise of the platform so that theend member webs drop over the ends of the platform and rest on theplatform support members 15 with the lowermost portions of the verticalend member surfaces 63 being in abutting relation to the ends of theplatform 16.

At this time, the lower flange 65 of side member 52 is resting on theupper surface of platform 16 along the edge thereof. Latches 81 arereleased, and side member 52 is pivoted to the position shown in FIG.11, allowing the lower flange 65 to move out beyond and then drop belowthe edge of the platform. Side member 52 is then moved back to verticalposition, with flange 65 thereof underlying the length of the platformedge, the side member being then latched in place by latches 81 on theend members.

As thus assembled, the lowermost vertical surfaces on the end memberabut the end edge of the platform and prevent relative longitudinalmovement therebetween. Similarly, the lowermost vertical surfaces of theside members abut the side edges of the platform and prevent relativetransverse movement therebetween. The end members of the toe boardassembly rest on platform support members 15, and the side memberflanges 65 engage the underneath of the platform (which is bolted to thesupport members and accordingly the toe board assembly is also preventedfrom vertical movement.

In span-type scaffolds of considerable length, the load on the platformmay cause the platform to sag at its midpoint. With the present toeboard the platform is supported along both sides thereof by the sidemember flanges 65, and the structural strength of the side membergirders is thus imparted to the platform to prevent such sag.

At the same time, if the length of the platform and toe board assemblyis considerable, an outward force on a side member (as might occur ifthe user pushes it with his foot or accidentally hits it with a tool)may cause the side member to bow outwardly and open up an objectionablelongitudinal gap between the platform and sidemember. Also, if thisoccurred, the vertical support given to the platform by the side memberwould be lost.

In order to prevent such outward bowing of the side members, one or moredouble-hinge locks 85 may be permanently secured to each side member 51and 52. As best seen in FIGS. 13-16, lock 85 comprises a central hingeleaf 86 attached to side member web 62 by rivets 87, a latch hinge leaf88 secured to the central hinge leaf by the lower horizontal hinge pin89 and a lock hinge leaf 90 secured to central hinge leaf 86 by theupper hinge pin 91. Preferably spring 92 is utilized to bias lock hingeleaf 90 to a closed position relative to the central hinge leaf 86.Latch hinge leaf 88 has a latch pin 93 projecting outwardly therefrom,which pin can project through a hole 94 in lock hinge leaf 90 when thehinge leaves are in the normal foldedtogether position shown in FIGS. 13and 14.

After the toe board assembly has been attached to the platform, aspreviously described, the lock hinge 90 will be grasped by the-fingergrips 95 and rotated upwardly to the position shown in FIG. 15, allowingthe latch hinge leaf 88 to be rotated downwardly to a horizontalposition so that latch pin 93 enters a preformed hole 96 through andspaced from the side edge of platform 16. The lock hinge leaf 90 is thenreleased, spring 92 returning it downwardly to the position shown inFIG. 16. The length of lock hinge leaf 90 is such that it will engagethe upper surface of latch hinge leaf 88 and thereby prevent upwardmovement of that leaf and of latch pin 89. As a result, theinterengagement of latch pin 89 and platform hole 96 will preventtransverse bowing of side member 52 relative to the platform. After use,the lock hinge leaf 90 is merely pivoted upwardly, allowing the latchhinge leaf to be pivoted flat against the central hinge leaf, the lockhinge leaf being then released so that spring 92 moves the lock hingeleaf down against the latch hinge leaf, i.e., FIG. 14, and holds thedevice in its inactive position until the next time it is used.

In addition to latching the side member 52 to the platform to preventbowing of the side member, the lock hinge leaf 90 supports the sidemember on the platform so that if a workman stands on the upper flange69 of the side member 52, the downward force on the side member will betransmitted downwardly through the lock assembly to the platform 15 sothat the strength of the platform will help resist downward flexure ofthe side member.

Although the toe board assembly 50 has been described in connection witha platform 16 as would be used in a span-type scaffold, it is apparentthat the same assembly could be used in the same way with a platform ina stairway-type scaffold. However, if it were so used, it would bepreferable to add the locking hooks 45 of FIGS. 6 and 7 to the endmembers 53 and 54 of the toe board assembly 50, so that the assemblycould be locked into engagement with the under surface of the platformsupport members 15 to prevent upward movement of the platform and toeboard assembly relative to the support members 15.

Conversely, the toe board assembly 25, described for use with a stairwayscaffold platform, could be used with a span-type scaffold platform.

FIGS. 17-20 illustrate yet another form of toe board assembly 100 whichmay be used in a span-type scaffold. In this form, the toe boardassembly 100 provides the only structural support for the platform, thenormal platform support members 15 not being used.

Toe board assembly 100 again comprises two opposed side members 101 and102 and two opposed end members 103 and 104, the members being connectedtogether at their ends by hinges 106, 107, 108 and 109. Again, endmember 103 comprises two end-to-end sections 103a and 103b, connectedtogether by central hinge 111. End member 104 is similarly constructedand hinged, and again the assembly can be folded into a compact packageand unfolded into an open rectangular frame.

Each side member comprises a longitudinally extending girder having anupright web 112 with an inwardly facing vertical surface 113, the girderhaving an outwardly projecting flange 114 at the upper end thereof andan inwardly projecting flange 115 at the lower end thereof.

Each end member comprises a transversely extending girder having anupright web 116 with an inwardly facing vertical surface 117, the girderhaving an out wardly projecting flange 118 at the upper end thereof andan inwardly projecting flange 119 at the lower end thereof.

As before, the vertical hinge pin 121 of hinge 111 is spaced outwardlyof end member 116 at least as far as the width of the upper end memberflange 118. In contrast with the previous toe board assemblies 25 and50, wherein the hinge pins of the comer hinges are as close to the comeras possible, hinge pins 122 of the corner hinges of the toe boardassembly are spaced away from the side member flanges, the spacing beingat least equal to the width of the lower end member flanges 119, so thatthe end member sections may be folded parallel to the side members.

Each side member has permanently secured at each end thereof avertically oriented plate member 125 having a downfacing hook 126 formedat the end thereof, the hook being adapted to engage and rest on one ofthe horizontal tubing members 14 of the end frames 11 and 12 of thescaffold. Preferably a latch 127 is pivotally mounted by pin 128 on eachplate 125, the latches being adapted to pivot into engagement with theunder surface of tubing members 14 to secure the toe board assemblyagainst accidental dislodgment upwardly from the end frames of thescaffold.

in use, after the end frames 11 and 12 of the scaffold have beenerected, the folded toe board assembly 100 is carried to the scaffold.The toe board assembly may first be unfolded into a rectangular frameand then hooked onto the end frame tubing members 14, or, if desired,the folded package may be hooked onto the tubing members 14 with bothends of the toe board assembly being then unfolded at the same time,causing the hook members 126 to slide along the tubing members 14. Afterthe toe board assembly has been unfolded and secured to the tubularmembers 14, the platform 16 is laid down inside the toe board assembly,to rest on the inwardly projecting bottom flanges 115 and 119 of theside and end members. The platform will be of a size to fit relativelysnugly in the frame so that the edges of the platform will closely abutthe vertical surfaces of the end and side members to preventlongitudinal or transverse shifting therebetween. The corners of theplatform may be notched so that they will fit over the comer hinges moreeasily.

Inasmuch as the sole support for the platform is provided by the sideand end members of the toe board assembly, it is preferred to attachflexible cables to the side members, three cables 131, 132 and 133 beingshown in the drawings, one at each end and one in the middle. Thesecables, preferably galvanized steel aircraft cables, are of a lengthsuch that they will be taut when the toe board assembly has beenunfolded to its rectangular frame position. The two end cables 131 and133 will strengthen the ends of the toe board assembly against a lateraloutward force applied to one of the side members which otherwise wouldbe resisted solely by the hinge connections between the members. Thecentral cable 132 extending beneath the center of the platform willprevent bowing and spreading of the side members 101 and 102 and willprovide a support under the platform to limit sagging thereof.

lf desired, a double-hinge lock, as described in connection with FIGS.13-16, may be attached to the side members 101 and 102 to provide ameans for holding the platform 16 down in the toe board assembly againstthe force of upward gusts of wind. Since the central cable 132 acts toprevent outward bowing of the side members, such double-hinge lock neednot be provided with the latch pin 93. I

In all of the above-described forms of the invention, the toe boardassemblies can only be installed in one manner. As a result, theassemblies are foolproof in use, even when used by untrained personnel.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A toe board assembly for detachable engagement with and forsurrounding and extending upwardly from the perimeter of rectangular,flat scaffolding platforms, said toe board assembly comprising:

a pair of opposed elongated side members having upwardly extendingvertical surfaces facing each other;

a pair of opposed elongated end members having upwardly extendingvertical surfaces, facing each other, each end member being hinged inthe middle thereof so that it can fold upon itself;

hinge means at each end of each side member connecting the ends of saidend members to the ends of said side members to enable the end and sidemembers to be folded into a compact package and to be unfolded into arectangular frame, said vertical surfaces of said end members eachhaving a lower portion thereof adapted to extend below the upper surfaceof said platform and adapted to abut the opposite end edges of saidplatform when said toe board assembly and platform are assembledtogether;

means on said toe board assembly adapted to said assembly againstsidewise movement relative to said platform when said toe board assemblyand platform are assembled together.

2. A toe board assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of saidside members and each of said end members comprises an elongated girderhaving a vertical web and an outwardly projecting horizontal flange atthe upper end thereof.

3. A toe board assembly as set forth in claim 1 for use in scaffoldinghaving spaced-apart parallel tubing members for supporting thescaffoldng platforms thereon, in which said toe board assembly includes:

hook means secured to said toe board assembly adapted to engage thetubing members of said scaffolding.

4. A toe board assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said hook meansare rotatably mounted on said toe board assembly and are adapted toengage the under surface of said tubing members to prevent upwardmovement of said toe board assembly relative to said tubing members whensaid hook means are engaged therewith.

5. A toe board assembly set forth in claim 3 wherein said hook means arerigidly secured to said toe board assembly and face downwardly.

6. A toe board assembly as set forth in claim 1 for use in scaffoldingwherein the scaffolding platform is supported upon spaced-apart paralleltubing members extending lengthwise of the platform, in which said endmembers each have a depending portion adapted to fit between and engagethe sides of said tubing members.

7. A toe board assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sidemembers have a transversely extending flange at the lower end thereofand extending along the length thereof, said flange being adapted toengage the upper surface of said platform adjacent the side edgesthereof.

8. A toe board assembly as set forth in claim ll wherein the distancebetween said vertical surfaces of said side member, when unfolded, isgreater than the width of said platform, said side members each havingan inwardly projecting horizontal flange at the lower end thereofextending lengthwise of said side members, the upper surfaces of saidflanges being adapted to engage the under surface of said platform alongand adjacent the side edges thereof.

9. A toe board assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said assemblyfurther includes a plurality of cables extending between said sidemembers, said cables being flexible and inextensible and of a lengthsuch that they are taut when said toe board assembly is unfolded into arectangular frame.

10. A toe board assembly as set forth in claim 8, each side memberfurther including a vertically disposed pin mounted thereon between theends of said side members and spaced inwardly of said vertical surfacethereon, said pin being adapted to be received within a hole in theplatform when said platform is in engagement with said side memberflange.

11. A toe board assembly as set forth in claim 8, each side memberincluding a clamp means mounted thereon between the ends of said sidemember adapted to engage the upper surface of said platform and torestrain upward movement of said platform relative to said side memberwhen said lower surface of said platform is in engagement with said sidemember flange.

12. A toe board assembly as set forth in claim 8, and further includingmeans mounting one of said side members to said end members for pivotalmovement of the lower end of said side member and the flange thereonaway from the other of said side members, and means for releasablylatching said one side member against such pivotal movement.

13. A toe board assembly as set forth in claim 12, each side memberfurther including a vertically disposed pin mounted thereon between theends of said side member and spaced inwardly of said vertical surfacethereon, said pin being adapted to be received within a hole in theplatform when said platform is in engagement with said side memberflange.

14. A' toe board assembly as set forth in claim 12, each side memberincluding a clamp means mounted thereon between the ends thereof adaptedto engage the upper surface of said platform and to restrain upwardmovement of said platform relative to said side member when said lowersurface of said platform is in engagement with said side member flange.

15. A toe board assembly as set forth in claim 12, each side memberhaving a first hinge leaf secured to the vertical surface of said sidemember between the ends thereof for pivotal movement about a horizontalaxis from a position generally parallel to said vertical surface to aposition generally perpendicular to said vertical surface, said firsthinge leaf having a pin projecting from the lower surface thereof andperpendicular thereto, said pin being spaced from the pivotal axis ofsaid first hinge leaf, a second hinge leaf secured to the verticalsurface of said side member above said first hinge leaf for pivotalmovement about a horizontal axis, spring means for resiliently biasingsaid second hinge leaf into general parallelism with said verticalsurface, said second hinge leaf being adapted, when in parallelism withsaid vertical surface, to overlie said first hinge leaf when said firsthinge leaf is generally parallel to said vertical surface and to engagethe upper surface of said first hinge leaf and prevent pivotal movementof said first hinge leaf when said first hinge leaf is generallyperpendicular to said vertical surface.

1. A toe board assembly for detachable engagement with and forsurrounding and extending upwardly from the perimeter of rectangular,flat scaffolding platforms, said toe board assembly comprising: a pairof opposed elongated side members having upwardly extending verticalsurfaces facing each other; a pair of opposed elongated end membershaving upwardly extending vertical surfaces, facing each other, each endmember being hinged in the middle thereof so that it can fold uponitself; hinge means at each end of each side member connecting the endsof said end members to the ends of said side members to enable the endand side members to be folded into a compact package and to be unfoldedinto a rectangular frame, said vertical surfaces of said end memberseach having a lower portion thereof adapted to extend below the uppersurface of said platform and adapted to abut the opposite end edges ofsaid platform when said toe board assembly and platform are assembledtogether; means on Said toe board assembly adapted to said assemblyagainst sidewise movement relative to said platform when said toe boardassembly and platform are assembled together.
 2. A toe board assembly asset forth in claim 1 wherein each of said side members and each of saidend members comprises an elongated girder having a vertical web and anoutwardly projecting horizontal flange at the upper end thereof.
 3. Atoe board assembly as set forth in claim 1 for use in scaffolding havingspaced-apart parallel tubing members for supporting the scaffoldngplatforms thereon, in which said toe board assembly includes: hook meanssecured to said toe board assembly adapted to engage the tubing membersof said scaffolding.
 4. A toe board assembly as set forth in claim 3wherein said hook means are rotatably mounted on said toe board assemblyand are adapted to engage the under surface of said tubing members toprevent upward movement of said toe board assembly relative to saidtubing members when said hook means are engaged therewith.
 5. A toeboard assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said hook means arerigidly secured to said toe board assembly and face downwardly.
 6. A toeboard assembly as set forth in claim 1 for use in scaffolding whereinthe scaffolding platform is supported upon spaced-apart parallel tubingmembers extending lengthwise of the platform, in which said end memberseach have a depending portion adapted to fit between and engage thesides of said tubing members.
 7. A toe board assembly as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said side members have a transversely extending flangeat the lower end thereof and extending along the length thereof, saidflange being adapted to engage the upper surface of said platformadjacent the side edges thereof.
 8. A toe board assembly as set forth inclaim 1 wherein the distance between said vertical surfaces of said sidemember, when unfolded, is greater than the width of said platform, saidside members each having an inwardly projecting horizontal flange at thelower end thereof extending lengthwise of said side members, the uppersurfaces of said flanges being adapted to engage the under surface ofsaid platform along and adjacent the side edges thereof.
 9. A toe boardassembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said assembly further includesa plurality of cables extending between said side members, said cablesbeing flexible and inextensible and of a length such that they are tautwhen said toe board assembly is unfolded into a rectangular frame.
 10. Atoe board assembly as set forth in claim 8, each side member furtherincluding a vertically disposed pin mounted thereon between the ends ofsaid side members and spaced inwardly of said vertical surface thereon,said pin being adapted to be received within a hole in the platform whensaid platform is in engagement with said side member flange.
 11. A toeboard assembly as set forth in claim 8, each side member including aclamp means mounted thereon between the ends of said side member adaptedto engage the upper surface of said platform and to restrain upwardmovement of said platform relative to said side member when said lowersurface of said platform is in engagement with said side member flange.12. A toe board assembly as set forth in claim 8, and further includingmeans mounting one of said side members to said end members for pivotalmovement of the lower end of said side member and the flange thereonaway from the other of said side members, and means for releasablylatching said one side member against such pivotal movement.
 13. A toeboard assembly as set forth in claim 12, each side member furtherincluding a vertically disposed pin mounted thereon between the ends ofsaid side member and spaced inwardly of said vertical surface thereon,said pin being adapted to be received within a hole in the platform whensaid platform is in engagement with said side member flange.
 14. A toeboard assembly as set forth in claim 12, each side member inCluding aclamp means mounted thereon between the ends thereof adapted to engagethe upper surface of said platform and to restrain upward movement ofsaid platform relative to said side member when said lower surface ofsaid platform is in engagement with said side member flange.
 15. A toeboard assembly as set forth in claim 12, each side member having a firsthinge leaf secured to the vertical surface of said side member betweenthe ends thereof for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis from aposition generally parallel to said vertical surface to a positiongenerally perpendicular to said vertical surface, said first hinge leafhaving a pin projecting from the lower surface thereof and perpendicularthereto, said pin being spaced from the pivotal axis of said first hingeleaf, a second hinge leaf secured to the vertical surface of said sidemember above said first hinge leaf for pivotal movement about ahorizontal axis, spring means for resiliently biasing said second hingeleaf into general parallelism with said vertical surface, said secondhinge leaf being adapted, when in parallelism with said verticalsurface, to overlie said first hinge leaf when said first hinge leaf isgenerally parallel to said vertical surface and to engage the uppersurface of said first hinge leaf and prevent pivotal movement of saidfirst hinge leaf when said first hinge leaf is generally perpendicularto said vertical surface.